SHAMATOR: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio graced the Tsüngkamnyo Mini Hornbill Festival, the post-harvest winter festival of the Yimkhiung Naga community, at Shamator, adding prominence to the cultural celebration that witnessed a historic declaration of brotherhood between the Tangkhul Naga community of Manipur and the Yimkhiung community of Nagaland.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister lauded the Yimkhiung community for preserving and promoting its rich cultural heritage through Tsüngkamnyo, also known as Zhihsütinyö or Nyo-to-Nyo. He said the Mini Hornbill Festivals play a vital role in strengthening grassroots cultural expression, fostering unity, and passing on traditional values to future generations. Emphasising the role of youth, Rio urged them to take pride in their cultural identity while adapting positively to modern developments.
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The festival, which marks the conclusion of the agricultural season, featured vibrant displays of traditional songs, folk dances, customary rituals, indigenous games, and cultural performances by various village troupes. Traditional attire and symbolic headgear reflecting ancestral identity and craftsmanship were among the major highlights of the programme.
A key moment of the event was the formal signing and declaration of brotherhood between the Tangkhul community of Manipur and the Yimkhiung community of Nagaland. Leaders and elders from both communities reaffirmed their shared heritage and pledged to strengthen ties based on peace, mutual respect, and cooperation. The declaration, carried out in accordance with traditional customs, was hailed as a strong message of unity among Naga communities transcending state boundaries.
Community feasts and ritual observances led by elders further enriched the celebrations, with active participation from youths and cultural groups reflecting collective harmony and cultural pride.
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Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister also inaugurated several key government offices at Shamator, including the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) office, Deputy Commissioner’s office, Youth Resources and Sports office, Superintendent of Police office, Sericulture office, and the District Programme Officer’s office, aimed at strengthening administrative outreach and improving service delivery in the region.
The Tsüngkamnyo Mini Hornbill Festival concluded on a note of unity and cultural pride, with the presence of the Chief Minister and the landmark brotherhood declaration underscoring the festival’s broader message of peace, harmony, and cultural continuity.